A Serious Request

[Ladyhawk]

As many of you know, I just had surgery and I'm on the mend. The problem is I'm having trouble motivating myself to do the things I know I should do to get healthy. It's depression, the dark cloud that eclipses everything. I've had to fight it most of my life.

Before the mods close this thread, let me say I am under the care of a doctor, a neurosurgeon, a psychologist and a psychiatrist, so that whole angle is taken care of. What I really need is a friend who will accept me as I am, a friend I can love. I've been working on that angle for a long time, but so far I haven't found anyone. :( I'm talking about someone local, someone I could invite to dinner or a movie, someone I could have fun with. Of course, I'm not asking anyone on DU to fill that position. You all live too far a way.

What I would like is someone to check in on me once a day or so through PM, to help me get off my butt when I need to. Depression is affecting my motivation and I could use some help in overcoming it. I know the things I should be doing, but if someone gently held me accountable, it would help a lot. As it is now, part of me is shouting, "WHY BOTHER?" I'd like to be able to tell that voice, "Because someone out there cares at least enough to private message me to make sure I do what I need to do."

Any takers?

I know this is weird, but I think it might really help.

Thanks,

Ladyhawk

[4morewars]

1. Yeah, sure

I could do that Ladyhawk, in fact check your PMs !
:hi:

[Droopy]

2. Well, you probably don't want me to do that

But I understand where you are coming from. There are 2 people that I write e-mails to on a daily basis. Nothing more than friendly conversation and understanding. We are all mentally ill and are trying our best to get along in the world. It helps to know that someone cares.

[Radio_Lady]

3. I've had bouts of depression throughout my life --

I would welcome the involvement if you PM me.

What state are you in? There might be others close to you who can help. Let me know.

[sam sarrha]

4. i will try to check in .. i also have had problems with depression

I find that meditation for only 10 minutes a day keeps mine in perspective...

remember.. sometimes depression is just being more observant than others

actually Right Drain dominant people tend to me more subject to depression because the area of the brain for depression isin the right side.. and it is in function more because of that..

Right Brain people put things together to understand them and the emotional function is in the right also, left brained people take things apart to understand them.. that is why they can be so unfeeling and just flat wrong, but logically convinced they are right... so when you collect information.. and not much appears to be positive it wears on you.. that is why meditation works, it trains you to not attach emotion to thoughts, objects and concepts.

I have studied this for 35 years..
more later..

[RagingInMiami]

5. I wish I could understand what you're trying to say

I think I'm with you, but I'm not sure. Maybe it's the beer.

[Ladyhawk]

6. Very interesting.

sam sarrha, I've always used both sides of my brain very well. I can be analytical and creative. My old counselor said I try to rely on my reasoning skills to get through life and ignore the very insistent feeling-based side of my personality. He always said I was "thought-based," yet I can be very artistic and musical. When I sink into the right side of my brain, time becomes meaningless; however, because of the intense depression, I've had a really hard time doing anything creative. :(

[AmyDeLune]

8. Another Depressed Right Brain Person gets it.

Hi! :hi:

[leftofthedial]

7. get off your butt!

I'll tell you what. Let's go to a movie. Not together, but let's both go to the same movie by the ned of this weekend. Then we can talk about it here or in PM.

What movie do you want to see? I really want to see Hitchhiker's Guide.

[xmas74]

9. I live too far away to go out w/ you anywhere

but maybe we could do a book club? We could pick the same book and keep pace together, chapter by chapter. The daily pm's could be a discussion about each chapter.
I love to read and I love to discuss books. You would be doing me big favor by joining a discussion of this nature. Most of the people I am around would refuse to read if their lives depended on it. Plus, it would be a way for both of us to concentrate on something besides our daily living.

[Swamp Rat]

10. Learn to play a musical instrument

It WILL help you. :)

[Ladyhawk]

11. Yes, music rules. My musical instrument is currently

out of commission, however. 'Tis my voice. :) I'm ecstatic that it doesn't seem to be permanently injured, though. Whew!

On My Own from Les Miserables, by Ladyhawk